Before you buy a new roof, you should know the answers to the following questions:

• How long can I expect my new roof to last?
• Will my roofing choice impact the resale value of my home?
• Which roofing products are best suited to the climate conditions
of my area?

• Can a new roof lower my energy costs?
• Will my roofing choice impact the environment?
• Will the roof compliment my home and my neighbourhood?

BENEFITS

METAL

Clay/Ceramic Tile

Wood Shake

Asphalt

Longevity (detaching, cracking, discolouring)

Excellent

Good

Poor

Poor

Strength (detaching, cracking, discolouring)

Excellent

Poor

Poor

Good

Fire Resistance

Excellent

Good

Poor

Good

Stability (wind, earthquake)

Excellent

Fair

Poor

Good

Appearance (discolouring, cracking, curling)

Excellent

Good

Poor

Poor

Weight (earthquake loads, wall loads)

Excellent

Poor

Good

Fair

Energy Saving (earthquake loads, wall loads)

Excellent

Poor

Poor

Poor

Resale Value

Excellent

Good

Good

Fair

Download “A Consumer’s Guide to Selecting Roofing Materials” below ⇓

Frequently asked questions:

Why spend more for a metal roof?
Ordinary roofing materials have shorter life spans than metal and will need to be replaced regularly. With constantly increasing material and labour costs, this could result in significant expense over the life of your home. Many metal roofs come with a 40- to 50-year limited warranties, saving you future financial worry since you’ll likely never have to re-roof again! In addition, metal roofing is a huge plus should you decide to sell your home and you will reap the payback on investment through increased resale value and enhanced curb appeal.

How can a metal roof save money on energy bills?
Metal reflects the majority of the sun’s rays, so it doesn’t retain as much heat as wood, asphalt shingles, tile or cement. This means a metal roof could help your attic stay cooler longer. The bottom line: significantly lower energy bills and a longer lifespan for your cooling equipment.

Can I walk on my metal roof?
Yes, but since metal roofing requires virtually no maintenance, there should be no reason to do so. Like any roof, care should be exercised. You can discuss specific details about walking on your roof with your installation company.

Vicwest Advantage

Standing the Test of Time

For over 85 years, Vicwest has been a leading North American manufacturer of premium quality metal roofing and siding – redefining and setting the standards in metal building construction and design. Our metal roof systems are exceptionally functional and architecturally attractive, offering the most contemporary designs for home and cottage owners alike.

Quality Products & Professional Advice

With quality exterior building products by Vicwest, homeowners will take comfort in worry-free maintenance for decades to come. When its time to re-roof, plan an addition, build your deck, dock, boathouse, garden shed or garage, Vicwest carries an infinite number of quality exterior building products to compliment any home or cottage.

Vicwest steel roofing, siding and backyard solutions products are perfect for “Do-it-Yourself” projects or perhaps choose to enlist the help of a nearby contractor by visiting your local building centre and or lumberyard.

Steel: The Durable and Eco-Friendly Choice

All of the steel roofing, siding and backyard products manufactured and distributed by Vicwest are designed to give home and cottage owners more durable and more eco-friendly options than traditional materials.
Life Expectancy: Steel roofs last longer than non-metallic roofs, with a lifespan of up to 50 years or even more!

Fire and Weather Resistant: Because steel is a non-combustible material, it cannot catch on fire. Steel roofing holds up better than any other roofing material under conditions of heavy rain, hail, extreme temperatures, high winds and even earthquakes.

Style Variety: Steel roofing is available in a wide range of styles. It can mimic other types of materials such as wood shingle, clay tile and asphalt shingle—but with all the durable qualities that steel offers. With new technologies in painted surfaces, metal roofing also offers a wide array of colors to choose from.

Cost Effective: Steel roofing can be quite cost effective compared to expensive clay tiles, slate, or wood shake shingles. A reduction in heating and cooling costs is another benefit—especially cooling costs since many of Vicwest’s steel roofing profiles use solar reflective pigments within their coating.

Lightweight: Steel roofs ease the stress on a home’s structure since it is much lighter than materials such as tile. Heavier roof materials may require a home to undergo structural repairs which can result in thousands of additional costs.

Low to No Maintenance: Coupled with its weather-resistant qualities, steel roofs resist the growth of mold and mildew.